"We are unable to activate [product name]. Product activation is required to use this product..."

"Either your computer is offline or the clock on your computer is set incorrectly, causing a connection error. An Internet connection is required. Please connect to the Internet or adjust your clock and try again."

There is a missing file or invalid serial number. Reinstall the application and try again.

194:01

Attempting to deactivate an unactivated machine

You're trying to deactivate the application, but have not yet activated it.

194:110

Activation failed

You have already initiated the "Deactivate All" process within the last 72 hours. You can attempt the process again at the end of the 72 hour period. Alternatively, you can contact us. Have your serial number or Adobe ID ready.

194:112

Client clock out of sync

Your computer clock time is incorrect. Set your computer clock to the correct date and time.

Deactivation or sign-out problems

I uninstalled my applications without first deactivating them

Uninstalling the application from a computer does not deactivate it. Follow the steps listed below for your product. If you uninstalled your application from a computer you cannot access, see the next topic below - I cannot access my previous computer.

Creative Cloud applications

Reinstall any Creative Cloud application on the same computer on which they were originally installed.

Start the application and sign in when prompted.

Choose Help > Sign Out [Your Adobe ID].

CS6, CS5, CS4, Acrobat XI, Acrobat X, or Acrobat 9

Reinstall your application on the same computer on which it was originally installed.

Connect to the Internet.

In the application, choose Help > Deactivate.

CS3, Acrobat 8, or earlier products

Reinstall your applications.

Connect to the Internet.

Choose Help > Deactivate or Help > Transfer Activation.

If you want to activate on another computer, select Erase My Serial Number From This Computer.

When you see the Deactivation Successful message, click Exit.

I cannot access my previous computer

Don't have access to your previous computer? Did you upgrade your computer's hardware, replace a hard drive, upgrade your operating system, or format your computer before deactivating your software? Ask Adobe Support to help you deactivate from a machine you cannot access.

Have your serial number or Adobe ID ready, and then contact us.

I do not see a deactivate option

If the software you're trying to deactivate is part of a suite:

Deactivate from another product in the suite.

If your company purchased the product under a volume licensing agreement:

The deactivate option is not available. Contact your volume licensing administrator for help.

How to activate or sign in

You must activate your product before you can use it. How you activate depends on your product. Find your product in the table below to learn how to activate it.

Creative Cloud applications

In Creative Cloud, you sign in to activate your software.

Make sure that your computer is connected to the Internet.

Start the application.

Choose Help > Sign In.(If this option is dimmed, you are signed in and don't need to activate your software.)

Log in with your Adobe ID (usually your email address) to activate your subscription. If you don’t have an Adobe ID, you see an option to create one.

Acrobat XI, Acrobat X: You don't have to manually activate your software. Activation happens in the background as soon as the software detects an Internet connection. If you do need to manually activate your software, follow the steps below.

CS6: You log in with your Adobe ID to activate your software when you install it or within the first seven days of use. Follow the steps below.

CS5.5, CS5, CS4: You don't have to manually activate your software. Activation happens in the background as soon as the software detects an Internet connection. If you do need to manually activate your software, follow the steps below.

CS3 and earlier: Your software prompts you to activate when you install or use the application. If you need to manually activate the software, follow the steps below.

Deactivate or Suspend Activation. These options deactivate the software but retain licensing information. Choose one of these options if you want to temporarily deactivate the software, and you're planning to activate on this computer again.

Deactivate permanently. This option deactivates the software and removes the licensing information from your computer. Enter the serial number again if you want to use the software on this computer.

What is activation? What information is collected?

What is activation?

Activation is the process by which Adobe validates your software to detect and prevent fraud and abuse of Adobe products and services. Activation involves the sending of information to Adobe at various times, such as at download, installation, uninstallation, serialization, launch, and during update checks for Adobe software. Adobe may also use this information, alone or in conjunction with other information Adobe may have, to (i) provide you with appropriate license renewal options, and (ii) to help us understand Adobe software usage, so we may engage and retain our customers.

What information is collected?

The following types of information may be sent to Adobe during activation:

Identifiers (IDs)

Unique IDs (generated by Adobe) specific to your machine and to the license you have purchased for the software. These IDs cannot be used to locate your machine or identify you personally.

Your Adobe ID if you have logged in to Adobe as part of the installation, update, or use of the Adobe software. The Adobe ID personally identifies you and links to all information that you have provided to Adobe while creating or using your Adobe account. If you or your company uses an administrator or other authorized party for the foregoing, we may also receive the Adobe ID of that party.

Installed Adobe product information

Serial numbers associated with the installed product licenses

Product name and version number; license type purchased

Version of End-User License Agreement associated with the software

The number of times you have launched an Adobe application since the last activation, for each application that is associated with the product license

Operating System Information

Operating system type and version

Locale (language dialect and writing system) in use

Local machine time (including time zone)

Machine name

MAC address

IP address

The IP address assigned to you by your Internet service provider is received by Adobe as part of the process of sending the activation data to Adobe.